Friday, 26 February 2010

And this is my second utterly gorgeous student, Peony (how beautiful is her name as well.It is my favourite flower!). Peony is a university student studying History of Art. She is friends with Rowan :)

In the photos below Peony is wearing a Peter Pilotto dress and of course that sweet little Hermes Birkin. Talking about Peter Pilotto has everyone seen the photos from the show? Those boys are complete geniuses: I loved the burnt orange colours although they did bear rather a strong resemblance to my mum's 70's kitchen (all orange and olive green) before she had it renovated the year before last!) and the leather accents were perfect. A completely wearable collection although I suspect (judging by past seasons) not affordable for most of us.

Edit: Okily, I know I lot of you were wondering what Peony was wearing in these photos so Peony was kind enough to email me the details:

Second 2 photos: "The cardigan is Zara, the belt is Gap kids (i have had it since i was nine, which means it is 13 years old!!!), the shoes are Russell and Bromley, the dress was Peter Pilotto and a huge spend for me (from his first collection before they were really a big deal), although the trench and fur wasn't included* it was a Burberry (and from the sample sale, it was £75, and both me and Rowan love to go to sample sales and often get our designer items from them) and the fur was vintage (and a gift from my mothers friend, it used to be hers, she is now in her 80s!)".

*I asked Peony if she wouldn't mind taking off her trench and fur because I loved her dress so much. Hence they aren't in the photos.

First 2 photos: "The hat was Joseph (a present from my mother), the scarf is McQueen (from Biechester village- this is an outlet village for any non-UK blog readers), the jacket is Hugo Boss, the Fur gilet is Zara, the trousers are American Apparel, and the shoes are Giuseppe Zanotti (on sale from Joseph).

In reference to the comments about my mini Birkin, it was a birthday present from my parents and it is second hand from a dealer in Hong Kong.....I am obviously incredibly lucky to have any of these things, but you can also see that not everything is designer, and I believe style has much more to do with person appropriation, of many different sources; vintage, thrift, designer, high street, in order to assimilate a great combination. I would never dress head to toe in any label, and I know Rowan wouldn't either (even if we could afford it)".

Brilliantly put, Peony, and I couldn't agree more. I think Caroline Issa (who is wearing customised Gap with designer in the photo a couple of posts above) is a perfect example of this.

Y'all know Miss Susanna Lau aka Ms Susie Bubble. Susie is absolutely one of the most hardworking girls at LFW- I don't think I have ever seen her just standing around chatting. She is always on her phone, being interviewed, writing (for her blog and DazedDigital) or rushing to get to the next show. I bumped into her one morning (I was feeling very tetchy and sorry for myself as I had gone to bed at 1am and was up at 6am) and she told me she had been up until 4am writing. My five hours sleep seemed like an indecent amount compared to what Susie had (and I promise I didn't whine for the rest of the day;-))

p.s. Susie told me what she was wearing here but I promptly forgot it all except for her trousers: they are Coral tie-dyes from Acne (which I think she might have customised at the bottom). I LOVE LOVE LOVE Acne clothes (my favourite item from last season was the structured strapless dress, along with the Atacoma wedges). Spotted plenty of Acne wedges at LFW and the Extreme stripe dress.

I was intrigued by Ross's look: he almost looks like he is from another era....until your eyes travel downwards and clock his sock-less ankles :) Ross is from Newcastle (I thought perhaps he was Scottish but he soon set me straight re his accent!).

These schoolgirls (above) were part of a group who came to eat lunch at Somerset House on the last day of LFW. What I love so much about the fashion weeks (both in London and Paris and I am sure that New York is the same) is that they attract people from every age group and social demographic, from wee little babies like the one below to proud parents and friends of designers, to fashion and art students to elderly, camera-toting tourists who just happen upon it all. Not everyone can get tickets to the shows (although with digital coverage of some of the shows it is almost like being there anyway) but it is still wonderful to people watch and absorb the energy and excitement. Adore bub Audrey's tiny little grey dress and jumper, and especially her little deer stalker hat!

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

Today was the last day today of London Fashion Week for A/W 2010. And while the weather was completely and utterly atrocious, I have to say that I had an even better time this year than last September. I think I was a little less stressed this season and, most importantly, I got to hang with the loveliest people.... you guys know who you are. Thank you for making me giggle, listening to me whinge and moan about the cold, allowing me to take your photographs, and just generally making my time at LFW so enjoyable. And a massive thank you to everyone who allowed me to take their photograph :)So, what were the big trends off the runway? I am thinking hats (for the boys and the girls); lace-up heeled/wedged boots; fur (both real and fake); hooded coats, capes and anoraks; leather, leather and even more leather (skirts, shorts, jackets, trousers); Alexander Wang bags; super long, black fitted skirts (which were a challenge on the cobblestones when coupled with mile high heeled boots); black lace (skirts, leggings, bodysuits); red lips; studding and spikes on just about everything (I even saw a transparent raincoat today with spikes!); Chanel nail polish in Particuliere (or inspired by it, anyway). Oh, and, um umbrellas!

I have oodles of photos to show you over the coming weeks (and hopefully lots from Paris!) so stay tuned. p.s. This is the stunning Rowan (I hope I spelt that right) who is actually a student and isn't involved in fashion at all! She and her equally exquisite friend (whose photos I will post tomorrow) were just taking a coffee break and people watching when I spotted them. I absolutely adored what both girls were wearing.........nobody at my university ever dressed so beautifully. Loved Rowan's enormous Mulberry bag (which she told me contained all her notes and things for a presentation she had just given at university).

Rowan was also wearing a ice blue Alexander McQueen skull scarf around her neck which I know you can't really see. He might not be with us any longer but his incredible contribution to fashion will linger forever.

Oh my Lord! Whenever I photograph David Gandy (best known for his Dolce&Gabbana campaigns) I am sure my camera involuntarily increases shutter speed by, oh, about a trillion! He is ridiculously good-looking and super polite as well. And note his jacket? A nod to Burberry perhaps?....

Talking of Burberry, is it possible to want one of almost everything in the collection?Yes, Yes, YES!

So lovely to see some colour during LFW: Natalie Hughes' pea green coat was a welcome break from the sea of winter blacks and greys being sported by the fashion crowd, and the grey, grey, grey of the sky.Natalie has a blog calledCanned Fashion. Her coat is vintage, trousers by H&M, GAP sweater, Pierre Hardy for GAP heels, and vintage Vuitton handbag.

p.s. Audrey had to go back to university on Monday evening (and I didn't get a chance to photograph her outfit that day) hence no more "What Audrey Wore Next" posts. However we will catch up when she comes back to live in London and no doubt further pics will ensue. AND I have lots of photos of Audrey's friends which I will share with you over the coming weeks :)

Two ways with the London Fashion WeekThe Daily*:For Reading (above)For protection from the non-stop rain! (below)

*London Fashion Week "The Daily" is our fashion week bible. It comes out daily and contains interviews, gossip and runway reviews plus lots of pretty pictures. Big, big thank you to all the worker bees who put together each issue for us to read each morning.....no doubt they haven't had very much sleep this week at all.

This is the super sweet Eleanor, the niece of James Long, menswear designer whose collection showed today. Eleanor wasn't so keen on having her photo taken (she had been promised an ice-cream and was much more interested in that prospect than my camera!) but I managed to get a couple of sneaky shots while her dad played with her. Love her little outfit: apparently James had made an outfit especially for today but she refused to put it on because it wasn't pink! Bless :)

She was laughing so much in the second shot- her dad was throwing her lamb up in the air and she was catching it resulting in fits of giggles (from Eleanor and the fashionable crowd!).

Monday, 22 February 2010

Olivia Palermo rushing to the Christopher Kane show today. She looked absolutely incredible: perfect from the top of her head (love those loose curls-how did she manage such perfect hair in this weather? I looked like a drowned rat!) to the bottom of her super high heels. And she is sweetest, most patient person as well. We adore you Olivia!

p.s. I am completely and utterly exhausted. I spent from 9am until 4pm in the freezing cold today: wind, rain, sleet, London had it all today! I have never been so cold in my life: at one stage I really did think hypothermia had set in. I stood in the scalding hot shower for 25 minutes when I got home just to thaw out. Fingers crossed tomorrow will be a bit warmer. Otherwise I may just need to buy a new hooded coat....hmmmm now that doesn't sound like such a bad idea ;-)

As promised, photos of French stylist/assistant buyer Kristina Gisors with her fab new long braids and gorgeous Helmut Lang gilet. I met Kristina at last year's collections and we have kept in email contact since then. I am so proud of Kristina. Since I saw her in Paris last year, she has won a Glamour magazine style contest (along with 1500 euro to spend at Printemps-hence the Helmut Lang!), she was named by Forbes as one of "The Most Fashionable Women in Cyberspace"along with Garance, The Cherry Blossom Girl, Karla from Karla's Closet etc and her blog was named in the Top 100 fashion blogs onWeardrobe. Her blog is Your Private Shopper.Check it.

Note the long skirt and layering? Trends seen both on and off the catwalk.

Taylor Tomasi Hill, Style and Accessories Director, US Marie Claire Magazine, looking gorgeous as always. Note her duffel coat? I am spying lots of them this week. Paddington Bear'sfavourite fashion accessory (with the exception of his jaunty chapeau) is back in fashion!

Sunday, 21 February 2010

I don't know about anyone else but a delivery from Net-a-Porter, complete with chic black box* and pretty black and white grosgrain ribbon with oodles of crisp tissue paper, is an utter delight. It doesn't matter if it is only a small purchase (my last was an Aubin&Wills grey knitted deer stalkers hat, on sale), it is still a special experience. And, um, they even do "discreet packaging" for those 'must keep secret from boyfriend/husband/significant other' purchases :)

The Outnet.com, Net-a-Porter's more affordable sibling, is fantastic for heavily discounted items. Perfect for those of us on a budget.

*perfect for keeping jewellery or perfumes in after your purchase has been lovingly tucked away in your wardrobe :)

Lara Bohinc, jewellery and accessories designer, outside the Matthew Williamson show today. I gave a little squeak of delight when I spied her as I purchased one of her bracelets-the Laratella bracelet in gold- when I was living back home in Australia (had to get it shipped over as I don't think Lara had any stockists in Australia at that time). I would love either the Apollo ring or the Unity ring.....just in case my husband is reading this ;-)

Anyway Lara is wearing pieces from her collection: Apollo pendant and Crusade bag.

The super-stylin' Natalie Hartley, Senior Fashion Editor, at the Sunday Times Style Magazine. I absolutely adore Natalie's GAP (yep, you read that right GAP!) jumpsuit, her exquisite Alexander Wang bag and her very cute Christopher Kane fingerless gloves.

I was contemplating buying those gloves (excellent for Winter camera operation- I can't wear anything with fingers as I can't feel the buttons) when they were on sale. But by the time I dithered about, the grey pair were all sold out....and the yellow pair didn't seem as practical.

Today felt like family day at London Fashion Week.....so many super cute kids and babies at the shows in the morning (Betty Jackson and Jasper Conran). Such incredibly lucky kidlets to be accompanying their parents/grandparents to take in the action both on (and off!) the catwalk.

Miss Audrey Leighton Rogers on Day 3 of LFW in vintage everything (her dotty top was 50p at a charity shop and her diaphanous black, err, coat? was from the Salvation Army shop). Her boots are from Ebay.

p.s. someone asked about Audrey's gold flower ring from Day 1- it is from Topshop.

Saturday, 20 February 2010

The stunning Miss Tali Lennox (yep, daughter of Annie) who is now a model.

Adore her shoes- I can't figure out where they are from. Need Tommy Ton (Jak&Jil) sitting next to me- he is like a walking encyclopedia of all things fashion!

Day 2.

Mood: Ever so slightly tetchy and very, very tired.

Reason/s: I received a ticket to the House of Holland show which was on this afternoon. So I duly fronted up with my little handkerchief/scarf thing (which was the ticket) and stood shivering in the cold waiting to get in along with everyone else. As I was contemplating/daydreaming about just how many more thermals I could reasonably squeeze under my See By Chloe dress without bursting the seams, I suddenly hear the music start pumping. What the??!!! Nooooo the show had started and I was still on The Outside. I surged forward with the rest of The Outsiders but, alas, according to the PR the show was "massively over-catered" and there was no way we would be able to squeeze in. Right. Excellent.

So I headed home. And had my lunch at 6:30pm. And now I am having dinner at almost 11:3opm (seared scallops, chorizo and samphire- sort of like very young asparagus- with lemon in case you were wondering!).

This is one half of the super stylish duo behind the shoe labelKronKron.

Here is the story behind their fashionable journey (stolen shamelessly from their blog!):

"The name has á long story. Long time ago we only had one supermarket in Reykjavík, which name was Kron. Kron represent "Kaupfélag Reykjavíkur og nágrennis" meaning the supermarket of Reykjavík and neighborhood. Because it was the only supermarket in Reykjavík all inhabitants were bound to either work for it or shopping there. In the store you could buy anything from milk, oil, timber and food. This store was closed in 1990.

In the year 2000 we took up the name again and opened a store where you could buy shoes.Kron became very successful and is now one if the primary shoe stores in Reykjavík. Kron store is known for it´s beautiful shoes, colorfulness and good ambience. In 2004 the opening of Kronkron was the only thing to do, people were craving for design and obviously liked our work. Kronkron has been simbolized with confectionery where you can pick up the most beautiful pieces in international design both in clothes, shoes and accessorize.

Not long ago the magazine Eurowoman chose Kronkron as one of the seven best concept stores in the world. There you can read that Kronkron is a leading concept in the fashion and lifestyle in Iceland with our brands and humorous design. By taking the step to make Kron by Kronkron shoes we are certain that our reputation will only grow and become more remarkable and most definitely there is more to come".

p.s. I didn't catch his name but he is friends with Kristina Gisors, stylist, from Paris (see post from Thursday: she is wearing the Christopher Kane for Topshop dress) who I photographed again today. Kristina has AMAZING new long hair and an utterly smooshy new vest from Helmut Lang....which I wanted to smuggle into my handbag :) Kristina's post up tomorrow.